Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced that Scottish pupils are set to be given some of the most personalised career support in Europe as part of recommendations by the Learner Journey Review.

The plans will see every pupil in Scotland given access to an online account with personalised support in choosing courses and planning for future careers. These recommendations are but one of 17 provided in the review which was published today. The review focuses on young people’s journey through the education system from the ages of 15 to 24 years old.

Planning Ahead

From 2019, Scottish pupils will have their own learner account in which they can record qualifications and relevant skills and also receive assistance in planning the next steps in their journey into the workplace or further education.

John Swinney highlighted the importance of this initiative and on providing young Scots with the opportunity to focus on their future. He said: “Ensuring the right advice, support and guidance fits seamlessly around a pupil is vital. Schools, colleges, universities and employers must work together to help young people navigate what is, rightly, a wide and varied range of post-school opportunities.

Other recommendations include:

• More joined-up advice and guidance on post-school options across the education sector.
• Young people to receive a better balance of work-based and academic skills informed by employer engagement, building on the success of the Developing the Young Workforce programme.
• Improved collaboration between schools, colleges and universities to enable, where appropriate, greater flexibility for young people to move from S5 to year one of a degree, from S6 to year two, and from college into years two and three of university.

“Our school leavers now have a widening range of opportunities available – from industry-led technical professional options to long standing well-established academic routes. But what is clear is there is no single route to success in life.

“With a record proportion of school leavers going on to a positive destination, there is much to celebrate already. This review will build on firm foundations and challenges all of us within the education and skills sector to go further.”

Learner Journey Review

Established in 2016, the Learner Journey Review involved young people across Scotland and engaged with schools, parents, colleges, universities and employer from across a wide range of public bodies and sectors. Aimed at increasing skills development and support for Scottish pupils, the review is one of a number of efforts by the Scottish Government to develop skills for working life in recent years.

The Digital Schools Awards is another prime example of providing students with the opportunities and relevant infrastructure to forge a better future for themselves; helping to develop digital skills and increasing STEM engagement in schools.

Focus on modern apprenticeships is also a key aspect of the Learner Journey Review, highlighting that in 2016 91% of graduates of a Modern Apprenticeship were in work six months after the completion date.

Between 2007 and 2017 the number of young people staying on to S6 has increased 18%, however of those progressing to university-level education, only around 1.4% enter at year two. For the Scottish Government, fast-tracking students into a higher level of study is a primary focus.